Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: India’s west coast is likely to witness its first cyclonic storm of the year by May 16, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting its ‘likely formation’ over the East Central Arabian sea on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The IMD has also issued heavy rainfall alerts for Maharashtra and Goa coast, along with the Lakshadweep area from May 13 to May 15, in addition to issuing warnings about a tidal wave and high-speed winds.
According to the forecast issued on Wednesday, a low-pressure area is expected to form over the Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep. IMD Mumbai officials said that this was likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm around May 16. Once formed, it would lead to a cyclonic storm named Cyclone ‘Tauktae’ (meaning highly vocal gecko) by Myanmar.
“A low-pressure area is very likely to form over Southeast Arabian Sea around May 14 morning. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards across the Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining the Lakshadweep area and intensify gradually. It may intensify into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Arabian Sea around May 16 and continue to move north-northwestwards. Under the influence of the weather system, several districts near Maharashtra and Goa coast will witness heavy rainfall activity accompanied with gusty winds,” said Shubhangi Bhute, Scientist, IMD Mumbai.
